Gregorian Museum gathers 144 years of St Gregory's memories, opening on 20 November

The 144-year history and memories of Dhaka's St Gregory's High School and College are now being preserved under one roof. The school authorities and former students have jointly created a museum named the 'Gregorian Museum', which will be formally inaugurated on 20 November.

Leaders of The Gregorian Society, the organisation of the school's former students, announced this at a press conference held on Friday at the Sinha Lounge of Dhaka Club in Shahbagh. They said the museum will be open to the school's students, former students and general visitors alike.

According to the organisers, the museum, located on the fifth floor of the school's main building, will display memorabilia from the long journey of the institution, founded in British India in 1882. It will include historical documents, photographs, artefacts, souvenirs and other important exhibits linked to the school's history.

At the press conference, Gregorian Society president Yusuf Rahman said that over its long journey St Gregory's High School had produced many figures renowned nationally and internationally who had played leading roles for the welfare of the country's people and in various fields, and their memories would find a place in the museum. He added that the museum featured the memories of former students, not of any particular political side.

Welcoming the initiative, the school's principal, Brother Pradeep Placid Ribeiro, said the big responsibility now was to work out how to preserve the memories of the historical figures kept in the museum. He said many historical figures were associated with the school, and when students saw those memories they would also be able to feel those people.

The Museum Design and Execution Committee was responsible for the museum's design and implementation. Construction began on 14 November last year with a symbolic brick-laying, and on 28 December the old site was prepared for construction. At the same time, a separate team of former students began collecting and preserving historical exhibits, memorabilia and documents for display.

According to the organisers, the Gregorian Museum is not merely a place to preserve exhibits; it is a lasting memorial to the school's long history, the tradition built over generations and the contributions of countless Gregorians. Through it, current and former students and visitors will be able to learn about the school's rich history and reconnect with their own heritage.